Cargo hauling system

ABSTRACT

A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.

This application claims the priority benefit of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/836,605, filed Aug. 9, 2007, which claimspriority from Ser. No. 10/881,383, filed Jun. 30, 2004, now abandoned,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/483,871,filed Jun. 30, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sales of light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV) have steadilygrown year after year and recently outsold cars for the first time inhistory. The demand for these multi-purpose vehicles has led to thecreation of numerous makes and models, and also the need for new,innovative accessories that take advantage of the heavy-duty nature ofthese vehicles.

Light trucks have a truck bed and SUVs typically have a large cargospace for hauling or transporting goods and materials. For example, thetruck bed is typically an open topped chamber or cavity in which a rearend is selectively closed by a pivoting or removable tailgate. It iswell known to employ truck bed liners, normally a liner that ispermanently installed to the interior surface of the truck bed.Similarly, with SUVs, a pivoting hatchback door allows access to a rearstorage compartment. Manufacturers provide for fold-down seats tomaximize the amount of cargo space available to the user. Unfortunately,these cargo spaces are also a part of the SUV interior and only certaintypes of materials are conveniently mounted in the rear storagecompartment.

It is common to use these light trucks and SUVs for hauling a variety ofmaterials. For example, construction tools, mulch, topsoil, debris, etc.are temporarily stored in the truck bed or SUV cargo space. A needexists, however, for a vehicle bin that maximizes the efficient use ofthese storage areas. Moreover, a need exists for such an arrangementthat can be provided without undue alteration or modification of thetruck bed or cargo space of the light truck or SUV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cargo hauling system that isdimensioned to fit the truck bed or SUV cargo space. The bin is adaptedto move forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed or cargospace, selectively pivot for dumping the load contents of the bin fromthe rear of the vehicle, be selectively removed from the vehicle toleave at a job site, and/or allow the vehicle to be used without theremovable bin.

The invention includes a pivot arm assembly advantageously mounted to aconventional trailer hitch receiver installed on vehicles of this type.The pivot arm assembly includes a support bar received within thetrailer hitch receiver. A generally U-shaped support structure includesa transverse arm and first and second upright arms extending therefromhaving first, lower ends secured to the transverse arm. The supportstructure receives a storage bin, particularly, the bin is adapted forselective sliding and pivoting movement relative to the supportstructure. First and second rollers are preferably rotatably securedadjacent outer terminal ends of the first and second upright arms,respectively. The rollers cooperate with first and second guide railssecured to an underside of the bin. In addition, roller members arepreferably provided along an undersurface of the bin to facilitaterolling movement of relative to the truck bed/cargo space.

A loading, unloading ramp assembly is independently and convenientlysecured to the pivot arm assembly. Wheels are preferably providedadjacent an outer terminal end of a ramp and cooperate with a closedloop assembly for selectively loading and unloading the bin from thevehicle along the ramp. The closed loop assembly includes a continuous,flexible drive member such as a chain that passes around a first oridler sprocket located adjacent the pivot arm assembly end of the rampand about a second or drive sprocket rotatably secured adjacent theouter terminal end of the ramp. The drive sprocket is operativelyconnected to, i.e., driven by, a chain drive wheel also mounted adjacentthe outer terminal end. By using the motive power of the vehicle, thebin is urged by the closed loop chain along the ramp, carried by thechain that is driven by the drive wheel and drive sprocket.

A self-tightening mounting assembly is preferably used to secure thepivot arm assembly to the receiver of the trailer hitch. In onearrangement, the mounting assembly includes first and second membersangled in two directions so that as a fastener, such as elongatedthreaded bolt received through the angled members, is tightened, theangled members securely engage an interior surface of the receiver tube.In another embodiment, a wedge member cooperates with outwardlyexpanding pads to engage the interior surface of the receiver tube.Either of these self-tightening mounting assemblies limits any loose fitor play between the pivot arm assembly and the trailer hitch receiver.

A primary advantage of the invention is found in an improved cargohauling system.

One benefit resides in the ability to protect the interior cargo spaceor truck bed from potential contamination or damage by the materialcarried in the bin.

Another advantage is found in the ability to selectively remove the binfrom the vehicle.

Still another advantage resides in the ease in which the cargo haulingsystem is mounted to the vehicle via a conventional trailer hitchassembly.

Yet another advantage of the invention results in the self-powered rampthat facilitates installation and removal of the bin from the truck bedor SUV cargo space.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prototype cargo bin in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred form of pivot arm assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates installation of the pivot arm assembly of FIG. 2 to aconventional trailer hitch assembly.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a bin received in a truck bed with thetailgate removed and the support assembly mounted in place.

FIG. 5 is a view, partly in cross-section, of the interconnection of thepivot arm assembly with the trailer hitch assembly.

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7-9 show a perspective, and sectional views thereof of analternative interconnection of the pivot arm assembly with the trailerhitch assembly.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a ramp assembly extending from the pivot armassembly to a cargo bin disposed on the ground surface.

FIG. 11 is a view from a truck bed of the underside of the cargo bin ina dump position.

FIG. 12 is a view of the cargo bin shown partially extended from thetruck bed.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the pivot arm assembly in operativeassociation with the underside of the cargo bin.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the cargo bin in a dump position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, a prototype of a cargo bin 20 is shown bothseparated from the associated light truck (FIG. 1) and installed in thebed of a light truck (FIG. 4). More particularly, the bin includes abase wall member 22 and at least first, second and third sidewalls 24 a,24 b, 24 c that enclose a bin cavity 26. Although not shown, it will beappreciated that an additional sidewall could be provided to close theremaining open side or rear end of the bin, and/or likewise, a top orlid (i.e., removable, hinged, etc.) could also be provided to enclosethe upper surface of the bin. Although the prototype is illustrated asformed wood panel portions, commercial units will more likely be formedfrom a plastic material or composite plastic, for example in conjunctionwith a durable frame such as an angle iron frame.

The bin is dimensioned for close receipt within the footprint or outlinearea of the cargo space of an SUV or bed of a light truck. Thus, theprecise configuration of a bin may differ slightly from one vehicle toanother, although it is generally contemplated that the bin will have abox-like conformation that closely matches that of the volume of thevehicle in which it is received in order to maximize storage volume orcapacity.

As will also be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 4, the bin may include atransition portion 28 that merges with the roofline, for example, of thevehicle. In other instances, the transition portion will conform to theinterior of the cargo space of the SUV or other outline of the truck.Likewise, recessed cutout regions 30 may be provided along lower,opposite edges of the bin sidewalls 24 a, 24 c in order to accommodate araised wheel well area in the cargo space or truck bed.

Preferably, the bin is a one-piece, integral unit so that any materialstored therein is not inadvertently spilled or released into the truckbed or cargo space of the SUV. Received on a lower surface of the basewall are a series of roller members 40 that facilitate rolling movementof the bin, and particularly the base wall thereof, along the horizontalsurface of the associated bed or cargo space, or along the groundsurface as will be appreciated from further discussion below. Theparticular number or spacing of the roller members may vary depending onthe size of the bin, intended use, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, pivot arm assembly 50 includes asupport bar 52 secured to a transverse arm 54, preferably atapproximately mid-length of the transverse arm. Outer, terminal ends ofthe transverse arm are secured to first and second upright arms 56, 58.The upright arms include rollers 60 on the outer terminal ends thereoffor reasons, which will become more apparent below. They also includeterminal rollers 62. The pivot arm assembly is preferably channel ortube stock and is either welded or fastened together and the transversearm and first and second upright arms define a generally U-shapedmember. The support bar is dimensioned for receipt in the trailer hitchreceiver. For example, a conventional two-inch trailer hitch wouldreceive the support bar therein, and a cross pin extending through thetrailer hitch member and the support bar secures the pivot arm assemblyto the vehicle. The support arms have a dimension that extends upwardlyfrom the transverse arm to the base of the truck bed or cargo space ofthe SUV. Thus, when mounted in place, for example as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5, the arms 56, 58 do not interfere with rear door operationof the SUV, or when used with the tailgate removed on a truck, the armspreferably do not extend above the lower surface of the truck bed.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pivot arm assemblyeliminates the support bar and uses an elongated fastener with a pair ofcooperating wedge members to secure the pivot arm assembly to thetrailer hitch receiver. Fastener 70 includes external threads 72 at oneend that cooperate with a fastening nut 74 and a fastener head or bolthead 76 at the other end preferably has tool-engaging flats. A shank 78of the fastener is received through an opening 80 in the transverse arm.Likewise, suitable dimensioned openings are provided through first andsecond wedge members 82, 84 that have selectively mating angled surfaces86 that allow relative sliding movement as the wedge members are urgedinto tight gripping engagement with an internal surface 90 of thetrailer hitch receiver 92. Thus, as the fastener is rotated in thedesired direction, the wedge members are drawn toward one another, insliding engagement along mating surface 86, and the longitudinalsurfaces 94 of the wedge members expand outwardly into tight, securingengagement with the internal surface 90 of the trailer hitch receiver.As will be appreciated from FIGS. 5 and 6, mating surfaces 86 are angledin both the X and Y directions so that tight engagement with theinternal surfaces 90 of the receiver is achieved in perpendiculardirections, i.e., along the entire inner perimeter of the trailer hitchreceiver.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-9, an alternative assembly is shown for securingthe pivot arm assembly to the trailer hitch receiver. Where possible,like parts are identified by like reference numbers with a primedsuffix, e.g., trailer hitch receiver 92 is identified as receiver 92′,and new components by new reference numerals. Particularly, the receiver92′ receives a hollow square tube 96 that includes multiple engagingpads 98 that are selectively moved inwardly and outwardly throughcorresponding openings in the tube in response to movement of wedgemember 82′. The wedge member includes an outer inclined surface thatengages the pads and upon selective rotation of the fastener 70′, thenut 74′ is moved along shaft 72′ and moves the pads either inwardly oroutwardly relative to the axis of the tube to either release orgrippingly engage the inner surface of the trailer hitch receiver. Asshown, two pads are provided and oriented to engage inner surfacesdisposed at ninety degrees relative to one another in the hitch receiverto assure secure engagement of the pivot arm assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, installation of the bin into the truckbed or cargo space is illustrated. A loading/unloading ramp assembly 100includes first and second support members or ramps 102, 104 that areinterconnected adjacent a first end by a wheel assembly 110. The wheelassembly includes first and second wheels 112, 114 interconnected by anaxle 116. The axle also receives a sprocket or gear 118 that is securedto the axle. Thus, the gear is adapted to rotate with the axle that, inturn, rotates with the wheels as the wheels roll along the groundsurface in response to forward or rearward movement of the vehicle. At asecond end of the ramp assembly is a second axle or rotating idler shaft120 that includes a sprocket or gear 122 mounted thereon. A flexibledrive member such as chain 124 defines a continuous loop about the gears118, 122, and additionally around idler gears 126 rotatably secured tothe ramps. In this manner, the motive power of the vehicle is used topull or haul the bin along the support members 102, 104 and into or outof the truck bed. That is, the assembly is set up as illustrated in FIG.10. By moving the vehicle in reverse, the chain rotates (generallycounterclockwise as shown) to pull the bin upwardly, the driving forcebeing provided through rotation of the wheels 112, 114 via axle 116. Aswill be appreciated, the reverse situation also advantageously uses themotive power of the vehicle to pull the bin from the truck bed or cargospace.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate various positions of the bin once it has beenloaded into the truck bed. First and second channel members 140, 142 arepreferably secured to the bottom surface of the bin to facilitate suchmovement. The channel members are located inwardly of the roller members40 in the exemplary embodiment, disposed in parallel relation and forcooperation with respective rollers 60 provided on the upper ends of theupright arms 56, 58. The rollers provide a low friction, rollerengagement of the bin with the pivot arm assembly so that the bin can beeasily inserted into and withdrawn from the truck bed/cargo space. Theintercooperation of the rollers with the channels is perhaps bestillustrated in FIG. 13 where the bin is fully installed into a truckbed. Thus, the rollers 60 advancing in the channels, in conjunction withthe roller members 40, allow a vehicle operator to easily slide the binforwardly and rearwardly within the truck bed or cargo space asdemonstrated in FIG. 12.

The material in the bin can also be dumped without removing the bin fromthe truck. This is illustrated in FIG. 14 where the bin is withdrawn andthe center of gravity ultimately allows the bin to pivot along therollers provided in the upright arms of the pivot arm assembly to a dumpposition. If topsoil, mulch, or the like needs to be further spread,advancement of the vehicle (leftward as illustrated) allows theremaining contents of the bin to be dumped onto the ground surface. Theoperator can then easily and manually pivot the bin upwardly and thenslide the bin into the truck bed/cargo space.

As will be appreciated, the bin can be completely removed from thevehicle through use of the ramp assembly. Thus, if the bin is filledwith constructions materials or tools, it can be transported to a worksite, removed from the vehicle, and placed at a desired location on theground surface where it is chained to a support post, or the like. Onceconstruction is complete or if it becomes necessary to move the bin toanother site, the bin is reloaded into the vehicle through use of theramp assembly of FIG. 10. This allows the vehicle operator to continueto use the vehicle without unnecessarily hauling the materials stored inthe bin back and forth to the construction site. On the other hand, thebin can remain installed in the truck bed/cargo space and material orgoods stored therein and selectively removed or dumped as illustrated inFIG. 14. In both situations, the interior of the truck bed or SUV isprotected through use of the durable material of construction of thebin.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Theinvention is intended to include all such modifications and alterationsinsofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or theequivalents thereof.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
 1. A cargohauling apparatus for an associated motor vehicle, the apparatuscomprising: a support member; a hitch mounted on the associated vehicleand receiving the support member for mounting in the associated motorvehicle; and a self-tightening mounting assembly to mount the supportmember to the hitch, the self-tightening mounting assembly includesfirst and second wedge members that include cooperating angled surfacesthat selectively expand outwardly in response to a fastener drawing thewedge members toward one another.
 2. The cargo hauling apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the self-tightening mounting assemblyincludes openings through the first and second wedge members to receivethe fastener.
 3. The cargo hauling apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first and second wedge members of the self-tighteningmounting assembly includes selectively mating angled surfaces to allowrelative sliding movement as the wedge members are urged into grippingarrangement with an internal surface of the hitch.
 4. The cargo haulingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second wedgemembers of the self-tightening mounting assembly include mating surfacesangled in both substantially perpendicular directions such that thewedge members are adapted to engage an inner surface of the hitch in theperpendicular directions.
 5. A cargo hauling apparatus for an associatedmotor vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support member; a hitchmounted on the associated vehicle and receiving the support member formounting in the associated motor vehicle; and a self-tightening mountingassembly to mount the support member to the hitch, the self-tighteningmounting assembly includes a hollow tube having multiple engaging padsthat selectively move inwardly and outwardly through openings in thetube in response to movement of a wedge member to release or engage aninner surface of the hitch.
 6. The cargo hauling apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the wedge member of the self-tightening mountingassembly includes an outer inclined surface adapted to engage the padsupon selective rotation of a fastener.
 7. The cargo hauling apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein a nut is moved along a shaft of thefastener to selectively move the pads inwardly or outwardly relative toan axis of the tube.
 8. The cargo hauling apparatus according to claim5, wherein two pads are provided and oriented to engage inner surfacesof the hitch disposed at ninety degrees relative to one another therein.